Parentification Vulnerability, Reactivity, Resilience, and Thriving: A Mixed Methods Systematic Literature Review

Jacinda K. Dariotis (), Frances R. Chen, Ye Rang Park, Montana K. Nowak, Katherine M. French and Anisa M. Codamon
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Jacinda K. Dariotis: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 904 W. Nevada Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
Frances R. Chen: Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Ye Rang Park: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 904 W. Nevada Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
Montana K. Nowak: Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Katherine M. French: Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Anisa M. Codamon: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 904 W. Nevada Street, Urbana, IL 61801, USA

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 13, 1-66

Abstract: Parentification occurs when youth are forced to assume developmentally inappropriate parent- or adult-like roles and responsibilities. This review thoroughly examines current empirical research on parentification, its outcomes, and related mechanisms to outline patterns of findings and significant literature gaps. This review is timely in the large context of the COVID-19 pandemic, when pandemic-induced responsibilities and demands on youth, and the shifting family role may exacerbate parentification and its consequences. We used the 2020 updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to identify 95 studies (13 qualitative, 81 quantitative, 1 mixed methods) meeting eligibility criteria. Representation from six continents highlights parentification as a global phenomenon. Using thematic analysis, we identified five themes from qualitative studies and five from quantitative studies. These were further integrated into four common themes: (1) some parentified youth experienced positive outcomes (e.g., positive coping), albeit constructs varied; (2) to mitigate additional trauma, youth employed various protective strategies; (3) common negative outcomes experienced by youth included internalizing behaviors, externalizing problems, and compromised physical health; and (4) youths’ characteristics (e.g., rejection sensitivity, attachment style), perceived benefits, and supports influenced parentification outcomes. Future methodological and substantive directions are discussed.

Keywords: parentification; role reversal; resilience; coping; systematic review; mixed methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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